1. Fauquier County 4-H Volunteer Leader’s Training
Your Toolbox for a Successful 4-H Club

2. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

4. 4-H Delivery Modes Types: Community Clubs Project Clubs
Cloverbud Clubs
After School Clubs
Special Interest
School Enrichment Programs
Camping

5. Characteristics of Successful 4-H Clubs

6. Membership
5 + members
2 + leaders

7. Parent Involvement Enroll parents when you enroll members
Have parents complete the Parent Interest form
When deciding on how to involve parents, find out what talents, interests and skills they have
It is important to be specific about what you ask parents to do

8. Membership Recruitment / Promotion
Each club should be representative of the area or community in which it is organized
Club should have plan for recruiting new members
Each club should have at least one promotional activity during the fall (National 4-H Week)
Involve new members: orientation, new member packets, eventually can assign mentors

9. Monthly Meetings
Minimum of one meeting/month at least 9 months out of the year
Clubs do better if they meet at regular times each month
Regular meetings should be planned in advance
Each meeting generally consists of: opening, business, program, and recreation/team building.
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend all meetings

10. The 4-H Project

11. 4-H Projects
Project work is the major source of subject matter learning
Every member should complete at least one project throughout the year
How is a project conducted?
In a project group or by conducting a self-determined project
With a project book
Each member should give a presentation to exhibit work

12. 4-H Project How is a project completed?
Beginning
Set goals and plan for the project selected
Build on last year’s project
During
Conduct project and participate in project activities
A project is completed after 6 hours of learning experiences
At Project End
Summarize project and determine results

13. 4-H Curriculum What’s available?
VT materials are available at Extension online
National 4-H materials are available from
Other State Extension Programs offer many free resources online (ex. Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska)

16. 4-H Records Each member should keep a record of 4-H work
Teaches fundamental record keeping skills
Teaches how to set goals and analyze what they have learned in 4-H
Record of accomplishments, and document successes in 4-H and other experiences (this record will help 4-Hers apply for the All Star Award, the highest award in 4-H, when they become seniors)
Provide an opportunity for recognition

17. Elected and Trained Officers
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
And More
Historian Parliamentarian
Reporter Recreation Leader
Song Leader Community Service Director
Outreach Advisor Photographer
Fundraising Chair Sergeant at Arms

18. Constitution and bylaws
Constitution – foundation of the club
Bylaws – procedures of the club, easily amended
These documents should be created with youth input and should be approved by all club members

19. Goals Club goals Member Goals May relate to the focus of the club
General club goals
Member Goals
Support club goals
Ensure that members are learning leadership, citizenship, and life-skills

20. Annual Program Plan Members surveyed
Suggestion box Collages
Idea Tapestry Committee Brainstorming
Newly elected officers and club leaders plan the year’s program
Special program planning committee representative of the club
Program should be presented for club approval
Evaluation

21. Service Learning Community Service + Learning Experience
Leadership and citizenship opportunities
Connect with the larger community - Spread awareness of 4-H

22. Participation in Competitive Events
Judging motivates better work
Kids connect with the larger 4-H community

23. Show and Sale

24. Horse Show

25. Contest Day

26. Fair

27. Hippology

28. 4-H Events – beyond the county
Livestock
Livestock Judging
Block and Bridle
Stockmen’s
State Fair
Cattle Working
Horse
Horse Judging
Southern Regionals
Horse Bowl
State Horse Show
Other Project Areas
Poultry Judging
State Dog Show
Leadership Focused
Virginia 4-H Congress
National 4-H Congress
Citizenship Washington Focus
Host weekend by Collegiate 4-H club
District Contest Day
Exchange Programs

29. Recognition and Awards
Can inspire and be an incentive to greater accomplishments
Individual Progress Towards Goals
Results from Peer Competition
Achievement Banquet
Club Recognition Night

30. Awards – Fauquier County
Outstanding 4-H Member Award
Portfolio Awards
Top County Awards
Achievement 
Leadership 
Citizenship 
I Dare You 
Pinky Horsemanship 
Senior Honor Award
Sam Gouldthorpe Sr. Award
4-H Alumni Award
Friend of 4-H Award

31. 4-H All Stars What is All Stars? Purpose Nominees must:
Honor/Service organization
Highest honor in VA 4-H
Purpose
To contribute to positive youth development through service to the 4-H program
Nominees must:
Have completed 3 years of work as a 4-H member
Be at least 15 as of Jan. 1 of current year
Be an active 4-H member and no more than 19 years of age

32. 4-H State Cabinet Who? What? Qualifications? When?
18 district level Ambassadors (3 per Extension district)
Four state officers
One past president
Mentors
Adult Advisors
What?
Represent 4-H across Virginia
Plan and implement State 4-H Congress
District meetings
Contact legislators
Qualifications?
One full year as 4-H member
Documented formal leadership training
Appropriate attitudes and skills
Pre-service orientation
When?
Apply and run for cabinet at State 4-H Congress in the summer

33. Club Management

34. Club Bank Accounts
All 4-H clubs handling money should do so through a 4-H Agency Account
The treasurer uses the 4-H Treasurer’s Record Book to keep a ledger of revenue and expenditures
Club leaders and treasurers should plan an annual budget for the club
If a club disbands any funds return to the local 4-H Program

35. Sales Tax Exemption
Materials purchased for use by 4-H clubs are exempt
Materials purchased for resale by 4-H clubs are exempt
EIN =

36. Virginia Tech Insurance Coverage for Volunteers
Enrolled volunteers working on behalf of VCE are covered by the University liability policy.
If volunteers are charged with an illegal act, they will be excluded from this coverage.

37. Risk Management
Purpose: To provide safe and caring environment for youth and adults; Protect salaried and volunteer staff
Avoid – discontinue a risky component
Transfer – insurance (
Reduce – rules / code of conduct
Retain – if risk is minimal

38. Risk Management Above Suspicion Policy
Volunteers shall be screened prior to being selected to serve in a volunteer role
There must be 2 volunteers or more when left in the presence of 4-H youth

39. Accident/Incidents
Follow instructions on Risk Management Cards in case of emergency
Report all other minor incidents to the 4-H Agent in a timely manner

40. Using the 4-H Name and Emblem
If you are a member or volunteer you are permitted to use the 4-H Name and Emblem once your program is chartered with the Official 4-H charter
Use the whole emblem
Keep it upright
Color: should never be screened, shaded or multi-colored
Shape: should never be distorted

41. Examples of Use of Emblem
Appropriate
Inappropriate
Kids Club
Inappropriate
Appropriate

42. Forms for Members and Volunteers
Enrollment
Health History
Code of Conduct
Volunteer enrollment
Standards of Behavior

43. 4-H Club Charters

44. 4-H Charters What are 4-H Charters?
Certifies a group as an official VA 4-H entity that meets minimum standards
Provides the following privileges:
Authorization to use 4-H name and emblem
Authorization to raise, allocate and disburse funds in support of local 4-H programs, projects and groups.

45. 4-H Club Charters What Groups are required to have a charter?
All 4-H clubs
All Adult Volunteer Based groups

46. 4-H Club Charters What are the requirements for 4-H Club Charters?
Membership of at least 5 4-H members
At least 2 enrolled and trained volunteer leaders
Enrollment, Health History, Code of Conduct forms on file for all members and leaders
Elected and trained youth officers
An adopted club constitution and bylaws
A written club annual program plan

47. 4-H Club Charters How does a group receive a charter?
Complete the 4-H Club Charter Application Form
Submit the application to the Extension Office and we submit to the State 4-H Office

48. 4-H Club Charters How Long is a Charter Valid?
4-H Charters are valid until the end of 4-H year
Ways a Club Might Lose it’s Charter
Failure to meet initial or renewal charter requirements
Changes in 4-H club’s name
Disbanding or separation of the club
Failure to follow VCE policies
Extension Agent revokes Charter

49. 4-H Club Charter Renewals
Continue to fulfill the minimum requirements for a club charter
Submit a 4-H Club and Organization Civil Rights Compliance Form
Submit a 4-H Club Annual Audit Report
Submit a 4-H Property Inventory Report

50. Volunteer’s Responsibilities to Extension Agent
Collect enrollment information and turn into Extension Agent
Turn in regular 4-H club reports
Keep agent informed of club activities
Keep members and parents informed of information sent by the Extension Agent
Inform Extension Agent of your training needs
Attend leader training meetings
Submit requests for information and resource materials well in advance of program being conducted
Support county, district, and state events
Insure club resources are appropriately managed

51. Extension Agent’s Responsibilities to Volunteers
Provide job descriptions and explain respective roles
Provide orientation training to new 4-H volunteers
Keep volunteers informed of 4-H programs, events, and activities
Identify training needed by volunteers
Plan, coordinate, and provide training sessions to meet the needs of the local 4-H program
Identify educational resources for volunteers

52. Volunteers Make It Happen!
4-H functions because of the efforts of volunteers
Thank you for your support!

53. Questions and Suggestions?